Portable scaffold



Nov. 20, 1923. 1,474,462

A. BLANKENHAGEN PORTABLE SCAFFOLD Filed Feb. 10 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNE Y A. BLANKENHAGEN PORTABLE SCAFFOLD Nov. 20, 1923; 1,474,462

Filed Feb. 10 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 11v VENTOR I A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES ALBERT BLANKENHAGEN, OF AKRON, OHIO.

PORTABLE SCAFFOLD.

Application filed February 10, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT BLANKEN- HAGEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable Scafiolds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable scafiolds and especially to a combination ladder and scaffold supporting device whlch may be employed to particular advantage to support persons engaged in performing work on the walls of buildings.

Objects of the invention are to provide a portable scaffold supporting device of simple, inexpensive construction wh ch Wlll be strong and durable and wh1ch 1n use Wlll provide means whereby a series of independent scaffold platforms may be supported in spaced relation, one above another at a convenient distance from a wall so as to render the entire surface thereof readily accessible.

A particular object is to provide a new and improved scaffold bracket whlch may be used in the combination above set forth and which may be readily adjusted and quickly assembled to meet various requirements, so as to be capable of use with practically any type of ladder.

A further object is to provide a ladder comprising two sections slidably connected and arranged so that the upper sectlon may be loosely secured to the lower section 1n parallel spaced relation to the side wall of a building leaving the said wall clear and unobstructed except for wall contacting brackets associated with the upper end of the said upper section.

The above and additional objects are acomplished and additional ends are attained by the new combination and novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the invention is capable of vari ous adaptations and that changes, modifications and variations may be made and substitutions resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with this inven- Serial No. 444,024.

tion showing one manner in which the same may be used and having portions broken away to more clearly illustrate the manner in which the various parts are secured in assembled relation.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing my improved device in use with the upper sectlon 1n a vertical position.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the top platform used in carrying out this invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of said platform showing the same with parts removed.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the improved bracket arms employed in carrying out the particular embodiment of the invention herein shown and described.

Figure 8 is a perspective View of the bracket base to which the arm shown in Figure 7 is adjustably secured.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View showing in front elevation the manner of securing the upper ladder section in a vertical position.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the pieces employed in forming the connecting hook shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of one of the clamps employed to detachably secure the bracket shown in Figure 5 to the upper end of the ladder and Figure 12 is a top view of same. I

Figure 13 is a perspective View of the strap employed to secure the ladder sections in nested relation.

In describing the drawings in detail, similar numerals of reference have been employed to designate the same or similar parts as they occur in the several views throughout the drawings.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings comprises a lower ladder section denoted by the numeral 1 and an upper ladder section indicated by the numeral 2. The two sections are slidably connected by the strap 4 which is secured to the upper end of the lower section 1. The lower section 1 is provided adjacent the upper end thereof with the hooks 3 which are adapted to engage one of the rungs in section 2 and the sections are thus loosely secured so that the lower end of the upper section may be swung inwardly to a vertical position. The upper section 2 is relatively narrow and is arranged to nest between the stiles of the lower section as clearly shown in Figure 3. The upper section is provided at the bottom end of each lateral side thereof with the strap 5 which is shown in detail in Figure 13 and comprises a. flat piece of metal which is secured against the stile of the section 2 and is bent outwardly at a right angle, then forwardly at a right angle, so thatthe lower section may be received between the two straps and secured therebetween by means of the rod 5 which is detachably positioned in alined bores formed in each strap 5 adjacent the free end thereof. The said strap being of suiiicient'length to overlap the stiles of the lower section and project beyond the edge thereof. I

The upper end of the upper section 2 is provided with a bracket 6 which is detachably secured thereto by means of the clamps 7 shown in Figures 11 and 12, each clamp 7 comprises a flat body 7 provided adjacent each end thereof with the portions 7 and 7 which project at right angles there from in parallel, spaced relation to each other sothat the stiles of a ladder may be received therebetween. The projecting portion 7 is provided with a threaded bore, and a suitable set screw 7 is operatively mounted therein thus providing means whereby the ladder stile may be firmly clamped between the inner end of the set screw 7 and the projecting portion 7. lil-ach clamp'body 7 is also provided with a centrally positioned bore 7 which is adapted to receive the bolt 7 i by which each member 8 is adjustably secured to the clamp 7. The circular edge of the plate 8 is provided with a plurality of spaced radially directed notches 10 each adapted to receive the rung of a ladder. The plate is also provided adjacent its center with a radially directed slot 8 which is adapted to receive the said bolt 7 i so that the clamp 7 may be adjustably secured thereto. The outer face of the semi-circular member 8 is cut away adjacent the upper edge thereof to provide a seat for an angle bar 11 which is rigidly secured thereto by means of bolts, rivets or other fastening means so as to project beyond each'edge thereof. The angle bars 11 are held in spaced parallel relation by means of the-deck boards 12 which are adjustably secured thereto by means of the bolts 13. The bolts 13 are provided with elongated heads which are adapted to overlie the edges of the deck boards and the bolts 13 extend through suitable openings in the angle bar 11 to which they are secured by suitable nuts so that the said boards may be tightly clamped between the angle bar 11 and the overlying heads of the bolts 18. One end of the bar 11 projects beyond the deck boards 12 and terminates in a sharp wall engaging point 11*.

Mounted on the rungs of the upper section 2 are a plurality of brackets 15 each comprising a supporting member 16 and a bracket arm 17. The supporting member 16 is preferably formed to fit snugly between the stiles of the upper section 2 and the said member is provided at each end of the upper edge thereof with a hook 18. The said'hooks being formed thereon soas to engage one of the rungs ofthe section 2 for the purpose of supporting the bracket 15 thereon. The lateral sides of the member 16 converge from the upper end thereof to a relatively narrow extension 16 which is of a length sufficient to project past the rung of the section 2 which is underneath the rung engaged by the hooks 18. The member 16 is provided with a centrally positioned integral ear 16 which projects at a right angle therefrom with the sides of the car 16 in parallel relation to the sides of the stiles of the upper section 2 and. with the upper edge of each ear flush with the upper edge of the member 16. A brace 16 which is integral with the said ear 16 and the ex.- tension 16, project downwardly from said ear to the bottom of said extension 16 so as to form a strong rigid structure. The ear 16 is provided with horizontal bores 16 and 16 which extend therethrough in parallel spaced relation to each other, the bore 16 being arranged adjacent the upper edge of the ear 16 and the bore 16 being arranged adjacent the lower edge of said ear. The arm 17 is provided at its inner end with a vertical recess 17 which is'adapted to receive the ear 16 on the member 16. A horizontal bore 17 extends through the recessed end of the arm 17 at a point adjacent the upper edge thereof and a plurality of horizontal bores 17 are arranged adjacent the lower edge of the recessed'endof said arm 17 in spaced parallel relation to each other and at points equidistant from the bore 17*. The bore 17 b is arranged in the recessed end of the arm 17 so as to coincide with the bore 16 on the car 16 and the said arm 17 is secured to the member 16 by meansiof a bolt 19 which is secured in the bore 17 and 16 The arm 17 is thus pivotally secured to the member 16 so that any one of the. bores 17 by which the two straps 2O are secured with the middle portions thereof. infiat contact with each other and with the, diverging ends 1 extending" in one direction and the diposition.

verging ends 20 extending in another direction. The ends 20 and 20 terminate in rung engaging hooks 2O with the hooks on similar ends bein in coaxial alinement.

W'ith the bottom of the upper section 2 slidably secured to the lower section 1 by means of the strap 5, the device may be used as an ordinary extension ladder in which case the upper section 2 is extended to form a scaffold support of the desired height, whereupon it is secured by means of the hooks 3. The bolts 7 are loosened and a rotary movement is imparted to the semi-circular member 8 to position the deck boards 12 at an angle that will bring the deck into a horizontal position when the device is in use. The plamps 7 are then placed upon the upper ends of the stiles of the upper section 2 with the upper rung of said section engaged by one of the notches 10 in each semicircular member 8 and the nut on the bolt 7 is operated to secure the clamp 7 rigidly to the member 8. The set screw 7 is then operated and the bracket is thus secured to the upper end of the upper section 2. The ladder is then placed against a wall with the points 11 engaging the wall surface as shown in Figure 1. The brackets 15 are then secured at proper intervals by placing theihooks 18 over a rung of the top section 2 with the projecting end 16 in contact with the adjacent rung. The pin 20 is removed and the arm 17 swung toa horizontal position, whereupon the pin 20 is inserted in the proper opening 17 thus rigidly securing the arm 17 in a horizontal Two or more sections are similarly equipped and are placed in spaced relation against a wall and the scaffold planks 21 are placed on the said deck boards 12 so as to extend from one ladder to another. Similar scaffold planks 22 are similarly positioned on the brackets 15.

In using the device with the upper section 2 in spaced parallel relation to the wall as shown in Figure 2, the rod 5 is removed and the lower end of the upper section is swung inwardly and secured in a vertical position. The connecting member 20 is employed to hold the said lower end from further inward movement as clearly shown in Figure 2. The brackets 6 and 15 are then adjusted to a horizontal position and the planks 21 and 22 are positioned thereon in the manner above described.

It will thus be seen that my improved device may be assembled to provide a support for a series: of scaffold platforms from which all parts of a wall surface maybe reached and it will be noted that thepoints ll are the only parts of the device which contact with the wall, leaving the entire surface th ereof readily accessible. Having thus described and shown a particular embodiment of. my invention, what I claim as new and desire-to secure by Letters .Patent is:

1. In combination, a ladder and an adjustable platform detachably secured to the upper end thereof so as to project forwardly and rearwardlyfrom the extreme upper end thereof, said platform including a pair of clamps adapted to receive the ladder stiles, a member rotatably secured to each clamp so as to be in coaxial alinement and movable on an axis parallel to the ladder rungs means associated with each member to engage the upper ladder rung and hold the same in fixed relation thereto, a bar secured to each member so as to project from each end thereof and deck boards adjustably secured to said bars.

2. A platform adapted to be secured to the upper end of a ladder including a pair of clamps adapted to receive the ladder stiles, a member rotatably secured to each clamp so as to be in coaxial alinement and movable on an axis parallel to the ladder rungs, means associated with each member to engage the ladder rung and hold the same in fixed relation thereto, a bar secured to each member so as to project from each end thereof and deck lids adjustably secured to said bars. j

3. In combination, a ladder and an adjustable platform detachably secured to the upper end thereof, said platform comprising a pair of clamps ea'ch adapted to receive one of the ladder stiles, a semi-circular member rotatably secured to each of said clamps, notches in the rounded side of each of said members, said notches adapted to receive the upper ladder rung to secure said members against turning movement; a bar secured to the straight side of each of said semi-circular members so as' to project from each end thereof, said bars being held in parallel spaced relation by deck boards adjustably secured thereto.

4. A platform adapted to be secured to the upper end of a. ladder, said platform in cluding clamps adapted to be secured to the ladder stiles, a plate rotatably secured to each clamp, notches in said plate, said prising a supporting membenthe upper end i of which is formed to fit between the stiles converging to a relatively narrow extension, a vertically dlSIJOSBd integral ear pro]ect1ng horlzontally from sald member and a I bracket arm having a recessed end adapted 10 to fit oversaid ear towhieh the said arm is pivoted, a-bore in said ear, a plurality of bores arranged in the. recessed end of said arm so: theyxmay lee-"selectively brought into alignment with the bore in said fear 7 and a pinadaptedto be entered into one of the bores in said -ar1n= and positioned in t the. bore in: said I ear.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset 'my hand ALBERTB-LANKENHAGEN. 

